Washington Haunted Places: Top Haunted Spots in Washington DC To Visit
Haunted D.C.

Haunted Places in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is the capital city of the United States. Legally, D.C. is not part of any state–the D.C. stands for District of Columbia. It is inside this area–the beltway– that the seat of federal power reigns in our country. For the history buff, and those enthralled by politics, D.C. is one of the top three places to indulge your passions. It’s also an excellent city to walk and take in world-class museums, historic architecture, cafes and a vibrant art scene. D.C. comes alive at night with music, dancing and festivals that continue on into the wee hours of the morning.

Haunted Places in Washington

The White House: It’s said that some ghosts are attracted to the power and intensity of certain buildings and rooms. Given that, it’s no wonder the White House is said to be the most haunted place in D.C. The seat of American Democracy and a building where executive decisions can mean life or death to thousands, the air inside its hallways is electrified by the living and the dead. The most reliably reported ghost is Abraham Lincoln. Visiting dignitaries, staff, first families and visitors have seen the tall, gaunt man wandering the halls or entering a room before disappearing with a smile. Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson also appear with some regularity, their spirits walking the gardens or sitting in a parlor. The Capital: If the White House has the most famous ghosts haunting its rooms, the Capital surely has the strangest. There are the usual spectors and paranormal eccentricities that are known to haunt a historic building–past legislators and government officials. However, a good number of workers who died while completing the building remain behind, as well as the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill. Take the tour to learn more!

Haunted D.C.

Mary Surratt’s Boarding House: During the plot to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln, the conspirators met at Mary Surratt’s home to plan the attacks. For her part, Surratt earned a place in history as the first woman executed by the Federal Government. Today the former boarding house is a Wok and Roll, a karaoke bar on H Street NE. But it seems that Surratt has never left the premises. Her ghost has been seen wandering the halls, along with crying, whisperings, and murmurings that are associated with her spirit. Lafayette Square: Known as a gathering place outside the White House, this seven-acre public park has an ugly past. It was once the site of a slave market, where human beings were auctioned and sold as labor during the 1700 and 1800s. It’s said that cries of despair and the rattling of chains can be heard some nights as one strolls the historic grounds. The Octagon House: Another building that may be familiar to ghost enthusiasts, the Octagon House was originally owned by Colonel John Tayloe. Taylor was a wealthy Virginian who bought his family, including two daughters, to live in Washington. Unfortunately, both of the girls died right before they were set to marry men their father disapproved of. Both girls apparently fell down the house’s spiral staircase–or did they jump? Apparitions of the falling girls have been reported throughout the years and staff have heard shreiks and cries during the night. The house has been investigated by several paranormal groups who detect the unhappy spirits lingering inside.